Performance assessment of the test facility for pre-series cryoline of ITER

The Pre-series cryoline (PTCL) is a representative cryoline from the complex but indispensable network of intricate multi-process pipe ITER cryolines. A dedicated test facility has been developed for thermal performance measurements of the PTCL at cold temperature. This test facility is capable of supplying 80K gaseous helium at 6.5 bar(a) and maximum 37 g/s as well as 4.5 K liquid/vapor helium at maximum 2 bar(a) and 6 g/s which is required for carrying out the required tests. The test facility mainly consists of helium screw compressor, liquid helium Dewar, liquid nitrogen Dewar, 80K cold box and test valve boxes for distributing and controlling the flow of cold helium. The test facility has been successfully installed and recently commissioned in 80K temperature level. Further, the system was re-run with various modes of operation to ascertain its operational flexibility for the PTCL test. The present article describes the operational experience gained while carrying out the system performance measurement tests and results of the commissioning of the test facility.